Wheel



' "Dem 25, 1923. Re. 15,736

w. B. KERRI'CK WHEEL Original Filed April 14 1919 S-SheetS-Sheet 2 (jh/infilo@ j wfffazmm Re. 15,735 W B. KERRlcK WHEEL originl Filed April 14. 1919 :s sheets-sheet 5 Reissued Dec. 25, 1923.

UNITED STATES I WALTER KEER/IGK, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

WHEEL.

Original Fo.

T o all whom t may concer/n Beit known that I, WAL/ran B. KERRICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of'California, have inventedia new and useful Improvement in a Wheel, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a wheel, and particularly pertains to a spring-'wheel of that class in which inner and outer portions of the wheel are resiliently connected together by a series of horizontally disposed and laterally extending lspiral springs. It is the objectof this invention to a construction in va wheel of the above character whereby the inner and outer wheel portions may have universal movement Arelative to each other substantially without wearing friction other than molecular friction vin the connections between Vthe 'inner and outer Wheel portions.

Another object is to provide a constructionI whereby a spiral spring may be rigidly and detachably engaged at both its ends throughout the major portion of its end coils to obviate frictional wear and loose connections between the springl and it-s mounting.` f d Another object is to provide a means for engaging an intermediate coil ofI a spiral spring throughout the major portion of its length to rigidly support the spiral spring intermediate its ends and yet permit independent movement of theportions of' the spiral spring on opposite sides of its rigidly mounted central portion without friction between the spring and `its mounting. Another object is to provide means adapted on assembling the wheel'to place a serie of spiral springs undery tension. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated in the accom-V panyi-ng drawings in which:

`Fig. 1V 's a fragmentary-view inside elevation with parts brokenaway showing a vehicle wheel constructed..l in accordance with this invention: u

Fig. 2 is a viewoffthe vehicle kwheel as seen in end elevation and vpartly in vertical section. f. Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective villustrating the manner. o springs. f Figy is adetail inperspectivewshowing 1,377,3515, dated nay 1o, 1921, serial No. asaasgaied Apn'i 14, i919.

reissue filed November 22, 1921. Serial No. 517,146.

the manner of mounting a transverse spiral provide i vIfliave vhere shown my invention aszap- `a pair of with shoulders ;18 on after. The outer4 wheel portion isfdesigned f mounting 4the spiralL .to encircle. the inner wheel portion ,lnspaoed Re. 1s,73

PATIENT OFFICE.v

Application for the manner of forming the intermediate coil engaging member. i

Fig. 5 isa detail in perspective illustrating the manner of forming the endv coil engaging member.

Fig -6 is a detail section in perspective showing a portion of the spring tensioning annulus. i

7 is a detail in section illustrating spring between the inner and outer wheel portions.

Fig. 8 is'av detail in perspective showing modified form ofthe intermediate coil en' gaging member. i Fig. 9 is a detail in perspective illustrat- 1n coil engagingmember.`

pliedto a vehiclewheel for the purpose of illustrating the preferredembodinient thereof, which wheel consists in a broadsense of an inner wheel portion indicated at 1 0, an outer wheel portion 11, and a series of horizontally disposed and transversely extending spiralv Springs 12 interposed between said inner and outer wheel portions. The inner andouter wheel portions may be of any suitable construction according to the use Vto-vvhich the wheel' is; to be'put withoutaffecting the vspirit of this invention, as my present invention primarily vvresides in the manner of mounting the Spiralv springs inner and o-uter wheel members other than the immediate lspring engaging members and their supports and adjustments.

However, the inner wheel is here shown as comprising a suitable hub 13 fitted with disks 14. serving'as spokes constituting af support for an inner annular rim member 15 here shown as formed integral with the disks 14, but which may obviously be formed separate and aiiiXed tothe hub in any desired manner.

The outer wheel portion ishere shown asA comprising. a elly 16 on which a cushion tire 17 is mounted, this telly being formed the inner. marginal edges vofV its side'faces to forml abutments, the purpose of which will appear `hereinrelation thereto.

a modified vform ofthe intermediate In carrying out the embodiment of my 30 and 31, the latter will be caused to move invention als shown in Iirigs. 2,13, Il, andu, the inner rim member lconsistfs of a" pair of annular plate portions designated as 19 and 20 contactinnr face to face and held toe arcuate channels 22 and ,2321s` gather by rivets 2l or other suitable fasten'- ings. The plates 19 and 2O are formed at intervals throughout their peripheral edges?" with opposedv substantially semi-circular or vparticularly shown in Fig. 4, the ends of which channels open at the edgesv of the plates.y VThese channels form a seat for, intermediate coil of` a spiral spring l2 designed to be disposed between the plates and` rigidly 'secured thereto on clamping the7 plates, together onopposite sides, YOithe coil b ythe feetennaf lf desired; for neltatng removal 'of the spring, ef Seperate, @renate nnrtiene 'esi indi'- eated, et 24;. 'Ln Fig. '9 and. Secured to therme. 1,5 by rivets 26; e1: other enneble fastenings. I

The narineenel en aging Ineens is, here ehownneeeneetnge. einen of heetfrnetnl `,edges of thev plates seating on which .the baisee extend; nie

rings 27 and 28,"each of'wliicllris, 'formed with ereneie ehennele 29 en "itfe'fenterfeee,

hatingv .n end-epennie ne nheinner energinal edge of the ring asparticularly sho/Wn in Fig. 5e; these ehennele being arranged@- pesine. the channels('2,2` @d2- Qn. the inner rnn member end @dented fe reeeiYe-ihje enter @elle ef. the eplnees Shown in Figs-Bend- 7- n efteehngt .e outer ende ef nheeprng to the enter wheel pennen n iniref ln'nee rings 30 and] 3l are" provided, which rings here eneh @eneide dielnetei ne te elidebly engage. the inside Qf die nini laender? formed with threaded vside qpeninge 322.150 receive beltene 'will Presentlybe de: scribed- The ringe 27, and 28 are ef en ent,- side diameter less Vthan ther inside diameter of the rimv 16 and have openings 34 adapted to register with ,the lopeningsy 32 in the rings 30 and 31; the rings 30 and 3l being-dispesed ageinei the innerI feeee efthe 'rin -S 27 and 28 and Within the I'm l5. S'ie plates 35. and 36 are adapted ,t0 be positioned on the Outer faces of the Wheel rim with the ,1S te Space the platee .apart en Qthe inner wheel' pertienpletes .are formed with ,Openings eppeete Sides These side 37 threngh bons ee beinerneeed 'threneh the platee 35 'end 36, enter ringe 27 ens'enfengeged Wthnne inner ringe 30 3l rnnh, when the Springe .12eme in their nennely ,eentreeted neeitien, will be dieneeef'nep'eeed' nelenen he .eide letee aenldieefedbr .the dented Ain Qntghtening'n fthe: plates mayfcon- @he shoulders h outwardly in a position against the inner faces 'of ther'sideA plates',` thus placing the springs l2'under tension throughout the Wheel. The springs Will thus exert an in- Ward' pull` on "the side 'plates in opposite directions to normally maintain the outer VWheel portion in concentric and alinea relation te the inner Wheel pennen end being under tension, will operate to yiel'dably opposelmoifeinento the inner and outer portions of the Wheel in relation to each other. ihe spiral springs extending Vhorizontally and vagiially of the Whreehwillr permit, though 'yieldably opposernoyement of the outer and innerA Wheel, portionsmin relation to each Q tli-J--inA every' direction` thus affording re-4 i t lino ent ofthe wheel por- ,1, perenni teafnneef, the inventen refjgij trend eeenrely grinning the entf; the. 'errnget tnel Peints-Of 'engagenieniw in' the er Ind 'enten wheeljpetions, fr bythred" 'bewaring fri@- een err-inge. and their fastenpneifente'ii enlfetienelwear on 'the o e an redne'ed ely'tey neleenla-r ,frief. desired, twhelrend,` fastenings ofY Athe Springe Iney eenleet ef, eenie'eef ASeperate eine 38 ineteed ,ef enntinn'ene nng'eil? and 28,V which may be secureddirect to the ringe, 30 and 311257 'nl'eenedflrivene 39 er @then.entnble-eetenngeefellewn in Fig 8 Aenfmeane lfjory f entn-Qutwnfd die- .placem'entf of theisi e"plates,la:4 series of studs arewrrio'uiited 'on thefinnermface of. the li I edgesv thereof outer rim., 1,5, djeeenfion in such position asto engageE the outer faces .0i the ,Enige 30.-; the ,ringe 2,7., 28 end 30y being. 'fenned' with 'edge ESiete 42 through Whieh thel studs Vmay pass"` when 'positioning the` .rings Within .the enter rmend formed 0n thenutejn ,fe-eee' '0f the'ng'e 30. ere notches e'edented te'engnge fhe'einde ,to held the rin s '3Q' against perirhenl nevernenf.

pas desirable the the springs 1e be een against lllll'lrlg movement relative to their ennperltng members; andtfennhie iennreee t' echannels '29:in` thelringsf27 and 28 are terminated ytofforni shoulders' 44 as Yshown in Fie 5 egenet @bien `t.he ende Qfthe enfin`'sablitif ,A A-

rom the foregoing"` it "be seen that when the :eprineeQ elle ernennen in 'the einer member'wnhihefmier wenn of en interniwI 'ilatA Icoil clamped between the engagln'gmembers '23a1`fd24l with their terninal 4coils., `clamped hetineen"thl rings andthe'outer'plates`35 and 36 with' thee'easnofftSprings abetting ergangen-e etenldersee in .tile ehennele 29 they irll'be figli/dlnbled y kmovement at llO supporting members. I "A substantial connection isfthus effected between the inner and louter wheelmembers by lwhich positioning 'of these members relative toeach other is 'insured and lost motion between theinner andfout'er wheel members and between the vsprings and' their connections is prevented.

, whereby-the rings may 4be advanced or retracted relative `to each 'other` inengaging and disengaging the rings from the outer member the parts are adapted to be readily assembled and dismantled as occasion may re uire.

i s a means for limiting diametrical move ment of the inner and outer wheel portions in relation to each other and for the purpose of absorbing shock in event such limit of movement should occur, an annular bumper is mounted on the inner periphery of the outer wheel member and is vformed of rubber or other resilient material. This bumper is held in place by a split spring ring 46 adapted to expand into a channel formed in the outer wheel member to hold the bumper in place.

While I have shown and described a specic embodiment of my invention it is manifest that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setV forth in the appended claims. p' l I claim: v

1. In a wheel, an inner member and an outer member including a rim, a series of spiral springs having their intermediate portions rigidly affixed to the inner member and their end portions rigidly aiiixed to the outer member, said springs arranged to extend substantially parallel with the axis of said inner member, and means embodied in the connection between the ends of said springs and the outer member for collectively demountably attaching and detaching the springs relative to the rim to permit removal and replacement of the rimwithout sepa'- rately disengaging the springs. -A

2. In a wheel, an inner member and an outer member including a rim, a series of spiralsprings having their intermediate portionsrigidly gripped by saidinner member to dispose the end portions of the springs on opposite sides of the inner member substantially parallel with the axisthereof and with their terminals rigidly aflixed to said outer 'SiO member, and means embodied in the connection between said springs and the outer member'for collectively affecting tension of said springs and whereby thev rim may be removed and replaced without separately disengaging the spring.

3. In a wheel, an inner member, a tread annulus, a series of spiral springs project' ling from the sides of said inner member and'lmeans for detachably connecting the outer ends of said springs collectively to said tread annulus and screw means adapted to place `said springs collectively under tension and whereby said springs will exert opposed inward pulls on said tread annulus toward said body member.4 i`

4.k In a wheel, a pair of joined plates, a spiral spring having a coil intermediate its end engaged throughout the surface thereof lbetween said plates,`members to which the end of said.A springs are removably rattached and `an annulus to which said members are demountably connected.

5. In a wheel, an inner member and an outer member, a series of spiral springs extending between said members, and means for detachably connecting said springs to said inner and outer members rigidly and immovably engaging a substantial portion 'of coils of said springs in the direction of their length both circumferentially andv laterally.

6. In a wheel, an inner member, an outer member, a series of spiral springs extending horizontally on opposite sides of said inner member, a demountable ring engage-r able with the ends of said springs on one side of the inner member, a second ring engageable with the ends of said springs on the., other side of said inner members, and means for connecting Said rings to said outer member adapted to place said springs under tension.

7. In a wheel, an inner member and an outer member, a ring spaced from each side of the inner member, a series of spaced springs extending horizontally from each side of v said' inner member, and attached relative to said rings, and screw means acting between said outer member .and said rings whereby said rings may be advanced in opposite directions to place said springs in and out of tension collectively.

8. In a wheel, an inner and an outer member, a demountable .ring member spaced from each side of said inner member, spiral springs extending between said rings and the inner member, a demountable plate engageable with each side of the member, and screw means adapted to connect said plates and the rings for advancing or retracting said rings and effecting demountable connection between said inner and outer members and placing said rings in and out of tension collectively.

9. In a wheel, an outer member, a pair of spaced ange rings on the inner periphery of said outer member, an inner member having separable flange portions, a series of. spiral springs each of which springs has an intermediate spiral engaged throughout its surface between the flanges lon said inner member in rigid and detachable connection iii therewith; said springs having a substantial portion thereof projectinrig'on'fbothY sides'fof said' inner member,fand vhaving'their end coiis rigidly and detachably l,connected direetly to vthe `flange rings on' said` outer member" to allow yieldable, universal,A and limited movement between said inner and outer'members without friction f 10. In a wheeh yan inner member and an outer member7 av series of spiral'springsrextending laterallyl fromV said inner members, and means detaehably engageable with v`said outer member' for rigidly'grippingfthe end spirals of said springs throughout a major portion of their `lengths andvth'el surfaces thereof embodyimg abutmenzs engageable with f the fendy off-2A said n springs tcrhold-the springs,I a-gainstafA-turning; :.movement. @4115111 a Wheel, an outer-fmembervand an inner member, a series ofspiralsprings extending laterally from said inne-r member, a fp air vof vring' -plates having arcuate v channels x,engageable with the endg, spirals yof said springs;y fsaild-` tehannelishaving u 'end walls against which theendsfof said springs abut, andi-means cooperating with said` ringsv'for oletaehablyl connecting` saidf springs to. the 0utermembercollectively. 'l .v y l WALTER B. KERRICK. 

